What are JavaFX, FXML, and Scene Builder?

Question

I am new to JavaFX and am trying to make a project in it. Some textbooks mention FXML. What is the difference between the two?

I am using NetBeans IDE to develop my project and have heard about using Scene Builder when working with FXML. What is a Scene Builder? Should I use JavaFX, FXML, and Scene Builder to smoothly develop my project?

Please answer the above questions in plain language. If possible, provide me with some useful JavaFX tutorials.

Answer 1

Think of JavaFX as a package package that allows you to create rich Internet and desktop applications.
If you know Swing or AWT, you know that they are used to create graphical applications. JavaFX also allows you to create graphical applications, but with fewer programs and more visual effects at your disposal.

FXML is a file format that JavaFX uses to create screen layouts, although you can even directly encode your user interface. Although it is much easier to create FXML files using SceneBuilder.

SceneBuilder is an application where you can drag and drop JavaFX interface components and then tell JavaFX to use fxml files to display the user interface.

Here is a good tutorial: Learn JavaFX And you can watch a video based on JavaOne 2013 JavaFX at the following link: JavaFX on JavaOne 2013 .

Official Oracle JavaFX Tutorials . These guides cover FXML, SceneBuilder, CSS, and many other topics. Since you are using NetBeans, using Oracle tutorials should be simple as they all come with NetBeans projects (just find the project zip files in the columns to the right of each training page).

I would advise you to download JDK 8 and use JavaFX 8 and use the new features of Java 8 in your JavaFX application like Lambda Expressions etc. to make your code compact and clean.

Answer 2

If you've already heard / used Swing , think of JavaFX as its cooler, easier-to-use alternative and replacement (JavaFX will replace Swing as the main java platform for desktop and Internet applications, although both will continue to be supported for the foreseeable future).

FXML is nothing more:

XML-based user interface markup language created by Oracle Corporation to define the JavaFX application user interface

You can create your user interface directly using the code or in the fxml file with the postfix extension .fxml. For example, my_ui.fxml

One of the most important JavaFX application development tools is the JavaFX Scene Builder (screenshot below). This allows you to easily drag and drop controls (widgets) to create your interface in minutes:

The code for this layout is automatically generated (in the file your_layout.fxml ) when you drag and drop elements into your layout.

Take a look at these cool JavaFX tutorials:

Getting started with JavaFX

JavaFX: the next generation in Java programming